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American Legion holds Mid-Winter Conference at North Little Rock

The Department of Arkansas American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary held its Mid-Winter Conference at the Wyndham Hotel at North Little Rock.

Hearin-Connolly Post and Unit No. 32 were represented by Bob and Barbara Rhinehart.

A highlight of the American Legion Conference was a presentation by Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines on the proposed new Broadway Bridge as a memorial to veterans. Designed as a “basket bridge” and painted red, white and blue, the bridge will feature plaques to honor Medal of Honor recipients and list past wars with space for future wars. Villines asked for the Legion’s support, which was granted.

At the American Legion Auxiliary Conference, it was announced that the annual Arkansas Girls State will be held May 16-31 at Harding University. Local high schools will be contacted by the department as well as the local Girls State chairman, Barbara Rhinehart.

The annual Poppy Poster contest will be held preceding Poppy Day in May. Last year’s local and state Poppy Poster Contest winner, DuQuaron Dale, was awarded the Best in Class certificate from the Southern Region of the American Legion Auxiliary. Dale was a senior at Pine Bluff High School and his art instructor was Virginia Hymes. Barbara Rhinehart received the certificate on his behalf.

Richard Allen Peterson, a United States Air Force veteran and genealogist, gave a special program on the early years of the Department of Arkansas American Legion Auxiliary. He presented a picture of the Auxiliary members of 1921-23 ,of which his great-grandmother was the first department president. The picture will be hung in the Little Rock department office.

The Spring Conference of the American Legion Auxiliary will be held in Little Rock on April 13.

Hearin-Connolly Post and Unit No. 32 will meet Feb. 5 for their monthly meeting at the American Legion Hut, 3200 S. Main St. All veterans and their ladies are invited to attend. A potluck dinner will be served preceding the meetings.

The post and unit will take part in the Home and Garden Seminar & Show on Feb. 9 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Information about the American Legion and Auxiliary will be available at the time.

For more information, contact Joyce Lunsford at 870-536-2553, president of Hearin-Connolly Unit No. 32; or Billy Von Tungeln, commander of Post No. 32 at 870-879-2850.